Spiral reflux condenser



Dec. 1, 1925.

J. BROWN SPIRAL REFLUX CONDENSER 7 2 Sheets-Sheil F. JABROWN" FiledMay 25, 923

1 2 Sheets-Sheet cation. i

- well adapted for use in connect on with oil atented Dec. 1, v1.925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, FAY. .1. BROWN, or-snnnvnronn- LOUISIANA.

.sPInAI. REFLUX CONDENSER.

. Application filed my a; 1923. Serial no. 641,448.

To atZ it may concern):

Be it known that I, FAY J. BRowN, a citizen of the United States residing at Shreveort, in the parish of addo and State of ouisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements :in Spir'al Reflux Condensers, of which the following is a specifi- Thisinvention relates to improvements in condensing apparatus. j

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a. condenser, particularly refining apparatus, embodying relatively simple and compact arrangements forthe effective condensation of. hydro-carbon vapors as to obtaina maximum yield of the dilferent fractions thereof.

A further objectof this invention is the provision. of a condenser of the above mentioned character, which so controls hydro carbon vapors after passing from. a still, that the same will efi'ectivelytreatthevapors as the sameare'r'eceived from the still, .efiectively separating the vapors into the desired fractions, and in'this respect cooper ating with theystill in that the vapors will be efl'ectively handled as discharged from the still, so that the still may run. its ca pacity in the required-time.

A' further object of this invention s the provision of a reflux condenser of .a spiral type, embodying novel means for-controlling vapor travel therethrough, so.,-that',the

vapor may bemost effectively cooled at proper stages, and the condensatesthereof trapped to provide desired fractions of a maximum y eld. a Other objectsand advantages of this in. vention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompany-i11 drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate "corre sponding parts throughout the several views,

- Figure 1' is a side elevation, partly-incross section, showing the novel construction of the spiral reflux'condenser.

Figure'2' is a plan view of the improved condenser. j Figure3 .is a cross sectional view of the improved condenser, taken substantiallyon the line 3-3 of-Figure '1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on ,theline L atoff Figure 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the pur be treatedtherein as will be subsequently pose of illustration is shown but the preferred embodiment of this invention, the letter A' generally may designate the improved condenser, which may include the housing B, andcooling means C. 7

Referring to the housing B, the same preflei-ably comprises a casing formed of an in-.

shells and the .top and bottom connection members 14 and 15 thereof. The passageway 17 defined by the inner shell 11 is open at the ends ofthe'housing B and receives therein the cooling meansG to be subse quently described.

At its lower endthe housing B, and more particularly the fouter cylindrical shaped shell 12, has a nip le .or connection 2O welded thereon of a esired size,'which provides an inlet opening 21 so that the hydro carbon vapors may flow from the still of j distilling apparatus into the housing B and mentioned. At its upper end, an. outlet nipple 22 of a particular size may-be welded, or otherwise secured to the outer shell 12, and

from whence the lighter vapors may flow,

after passing through the condenser B. A conduit 25 is preferably provided below the housing B, which has communication with the chamber intermediate the inner and outer shells 11 and 1.2,- as through the bottom 15. The improved housing B may be supported so that the .bottom15 is elevated froma su porting surface, as by means of substantial y L-shapedlegs 27, which may be suitably secured to the housing B as .to theouter shell 12.. I e

A spiral runway, partition, or baflle30 is arranged within the housing. B, intermediate the inner and outer shells 11' and 12 thereof, and betweenthe top and bottom walls14 and 15, which 'is arranged upon a vertical axis. It may be of any desired pitch and is preferably lmperforate, being fixedly secured at the inner and outer margins thereand the upper end thereof to the top wall 1-1,

so that as arranged within the housing B it provides a spiral compartment 31 which extends intermediate the inner and outer shells 11 and 12 from the bottom wall 15 to the top Wall 14. Vapors thus entering the housing C from the inlet connection will pass in spiral manner, or be guided insuch manner within the spiral chamber 31 by the runway or baffle 30, as can be readily understood. It is thus obvious that the vapors may be regulated within the housing B, so that the same have a path of travel which is relatively great, considering the external dimensions of the housing P, providing a very compact arrangement.

In order to insure a thorough condensing action on all of the vapors. it is desirable to provide vertical baflle plates within the chamber 31, at different elevations and distances. These baffle plates 35 have their upper and lower ends connected to the upper and lower surfaces of adjacent convolutions of the runway or baffle 30. Certain v of said vertical baffles 35 are attached at one longitudinal edge to the outer shell 12, to provide a constricted opening 37 adjacent 5 the inner shell, through which the vapor agitationfthereof to prevent irregular cool-- ing. The condensing action upon the vapor incident to the provision of the battles is enhanced. In order to trap the different fractions of the hydro-carbon being treated,

as the same condense, it is preferred to provide horizontal bafiie plates or members 40, at predetermined distances and different elevations, upon the runway or batlle 30, which extend from the inner to the outer shells, and are arranged directly .upon the baflies 30 so. that any fractions which may be condensed upon the baffle or runway 30 vious that the spiral chamber 31 may be' above one of the trap baflles 40 Will flow -11'lV6I1tlOI1, 1t 1s apparent that a condenser downwardly over the-runway or baffle'BO till the same reaches thetrapped battle or;

plate 40 and is prevented from further downward flow.

By this arrangement, it is of course obseparated into zones and any vaporsconden'smg 1n the different zones may be effect-ively trapped and segregated from adjacent zones, as is very obvious. Adjacent each of the trap 'or batiie plates 40, and at the upside thereof, exit nipples or connections may be provided, having passageways 46 therein, through which the condensate or fractions of the vapor may flow, and be conveyed to any desired locations. While the batlles have been specifically illustrated and described, other means may be provided so that the heavier and lighter constituents of the vapor will pursue a tortuous path within the spiral chamber. Similarly, the trap plates or battles 10 may be dispensed with and other trap means provided, such as transverselycrimping the.

spiral runway or baffle 30 so that any downwardly flowing condensate may trapped within a transverse opening provided by the crimp and guided through the exit openings 46. 1

Referring to the cooling means 0, the same preferably includes a conduit 50, axially arranged within the shell compartment 17, and I upon which horizontal disc or ring sprays 51 may be mounted, at any desired intervals, so that Water flowing through the conduit 50 may be sprayed laterally from the sprays 51 to flow over the inner surface of the inner shell 17, for cooling the spiral chamber 31,

and thus enhancing the condensation action of the hydrocarbon vapor therein. It is noted that the outer shell 12.is exposed to atmospheric cooling, so thatv vapors immediately adjacent the outer shell are likewise cooled, although to a lesser extent than the vapors immediately adjacent the inner shell. i

Referring to the operation of the body of vapor within the improved condenser A, the vapor flows into the chamber 31 at -the inlet opening 21 and pursues a spiral and tortuous path within the chamber 31 upwardly thereof. The different fractions of the hydrocarbon vapor will condense upon the top' surface of the baflie or runway 30 in the different zones, and flow downwardly there'-' over to be trapped by the various baflie plates 40, so that the various fractions of different specific gravities may be Segregated. l-he very lightest vapors which may be permanent or hxed gas may exit through the connection 22 at the top of thehousing B. The very heaviest condensate may be back trapped through the conduit 25 for rerun.

From the foregoing description of'this has been provided, which is Very simple in construction, and by means of which the various fractions in a hydro-carbon may be separated withina very compact range of, distillation, and I effectively treated so that a maximum-yield of gasoline or the desired fractions anay be obtained at one distilla 40 the spiral partition to subdivide the same tion, without necessity of rcrunning the same. Continued operation of this type of condenser demonstrates the practical nature of the same, and in-coniparison with the best known types of condensers is able to obtain an increased yield of from five to eight per' cent of the desired fraction.

Certain outstanding features of the im Various changes in the shape, 'si-Ze -aii'd arrangement of parts, may be'made to the form of invention lielQlIlSlioXiHi and described, without departing from' the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

I claim: T

1. A condenser comprising a housingprovidinga spiral chamber therein, means for trapping and removing different fractions chamber for making-the vapor thereinlpursue a laterally tortuous path therelim 2. A condenser CQ JJPIlQIIg-a casing including an inner cylindrical shaped shell,

an outer cylindrical shaped shell spaced from the inner cylindi'ical'isliapedshell, a.

spiral partition. in the space intermediate said inner andwuter shells {providing a spiral vapor-jgtijavel chamber: therein, and

-means communicating,witlrthe chamber at different elevations.; therealong for withdrawing fractions-of diflerent densities.

3. A condenser "compris ng a casing including an inner cylindrical shaped shelL.

an outer cylindricalfshapedshell, a spiral partition connected to said inner and outer shells intermediate the. same to provide a substantially spiral shaped. vapor travel chamber therein, trap plates mountedupon into zones and'at the upsides of which "trap plates condensates of-the vapor within the chamber niay collect, and means for withdrawiiiigsaid condensates.

outer cylindrical 'shell,a s iral partition in the space intermediate sai shells providing a spiral vapor travel chamber, bafile platescondenser comprisingia casing in-1- eluding an inner cylindrical? shell and 1 an providing constricted openings at various distances adjacent the inner and outer shells through which the vapormust pass during travel-through said spiral chamber, and trapplates mounted upon said spiral partition for receiving and conveying different 'distillates from said spiral chamber.

6'. A condenser comprising a casing in- ,cluding an inner cylindrical shell and an outer cylindrical shell, a spiral runway providing a spiral chamber intermediate said inner and outer shells, said casing having an inlet opening at the lower end of said spiral chamber and an outlet opening at the upper end of said spiral chamber, and means communicatin'g witlithe chamber at intervals and different elevations for withdrawing different fractions from. said spiral chamber. as the same are condensed upon said spiral I runway. from the chambei', and bafiiemeans in the condenser comprising a casing ineluding inner and outer cylindrical shaped shells, means providing a spiral passageway intermediate said shells, means permitting the passage of a vapor through 'said spiralpassageway cooling means within the inner shell, and traps means insaid spiral passageway for trapping and'conveying away of fractions condensing at different zones in said spiral passageway.

8. A condenser comprising a casing providing a spiral vapor travel chamber there-. in, a series of bafiies arranged in the chamber providing restricted passagewaysfor the vapor therein, and means, forv withdrawing condensed fractions from said chamber at different elevations.

1 9. A hydro-carbon condenser comprising a casing providing inner and outer shells, and a spiral runway intermediate said inner and outer shells to provide a spiral vapor travel chamber, baflle means 'within the travel chamber arranged at different distances therealong' to deflect vapors during transverse bafiles supported by the spiral runway at the upper surface thereof and at various elevations thereon for trapping condensates .of different specific gravities, and

means forwithdrawing said condensates.-

10. A condenser comprising a housing providing a spirally disposed vapor travel chamber therein arranged substantially on a vertical axis, said housing having a vapor inlet opening at the lower end of said vapor travel chamber anda' vapor outlet at the I their upward travel adjacent'the outer shell to adjacent the inner shell and vice 'versa,

upper end of said vapor travel chamber, and

means for trapping and removing condensed fractions from the chamber at different spaced points between the vapor inlet and, outlet openings of said housing.

FAY J. 'B Rowiv. 

